Tuesday, July 31, 2007

In her older years, Ernestine Cobern Beyer became a successful poet and lecturer, describing to her fans the power of the subconscious mind. She dubbed hers "Jeeves," after the problem-solving butler in P.G. Wodehouse's novels, and credited him with helping her complete many of her poems. At 35, however, she was so discouraged by rejections slips that she considered giving up. What a sad loss that would have been to the world of poetry.

[from 1928 letter written to husband David, away on a business trip]

"All my poems are coming back and back. Each time it is like a kick in the stomach! I know just how Dempsey felt when Tunney pummelled his bad eye! I wish it didn't affect me that way. I almost think I'll have to give it up, I get so blue. And I feel so lost, as if I hadnothing to do. I lecture myself the way I used to Mother. In fact, I do it so much, perhaps lecturing should be my vocation. It is sad to think yourself a sky lark, and find you are only a mud one! It is really the cruelest form of torture, and I can sympathize now with Mother's longing to be a writer and her battered hopes and ambitions. I do hope my children will not try to fly high.

I am like those winged ants you see. What good are their wings? They do not fly! But I suppose they think they will some day!"[Mother, your wings were destined to fly. By the 50s and 60s, your poems were appearing in all the popular children's magazines, and you were giving talks in schools and libraries about the power of the subconscious mind. You named yours Jeeves... mine is Jeeves, Jr.]

Would you like to strip Planned Parenthood of millions of tax dollars each year?Today, Thursday July 19, the United States House of Representatives will continue to consider the Labor, Health and Human Services funding bill (H.R. 3043). This bill authorizes funding for Title X - the domesticfamily planning program.Planned Parenthood receives over $65 MILLION A YEAR from this one program.The current bill actually increases the Title X program to $311 million and would mean approximately a $15 million increase in funds going to Planned Parenthood.Representative Mike Pence of Indiana will be offering an amendment to the bill. His amendment will state: AMENDMENT TO H.R. 3043, AS REPORTED OFFERED BY MR. PENCE OF INDIANA At the end of the bill (before the short title), insert the following: SEC. ___. None of the funds made available under this Act shall be available to Planned Parenthood for any purpose under title X of the Public HealthServices Act.Please call your representatives immediatelyand let them know how you feel about "the Pence amendment toH.R. 3043." If you do not know your representative's name or contact information, go to:http://www.house.gov and enter your zip code in the upper left-hand corner of the web page. Please take action on this now, beforeit's too late......And spread the word to every pro-lifer you know!(From the American Life League)

You are more than a little eccentric, and you're apt to keep very unusual habits.Whether you're a nightowl, living in a commune, or taking a vow of silence - you like to experiment with your lifestyle.Expressing your individuality is important to you, and you often lie awake in bed thinking about the world and your place in it.You enjoy staying home, but that doesn't mean you're a hermit. You also appreciate quality time with family and close friends.